Mayo gardaí 'leadership vacuum' fears highlighted

Concern is growing over the realisation that the headquarters of the new Mayo Roscommon Longford policing divisions in Castlebar is to be left without a resident superintendent dealing with serious crime from next May.

The imminent retirement of Superintendent Joe McKenna will leave the division as the only one in the country without its own senior officer based at the hub.

Deputy Alan Dillon said the situation will create a leadership vacuum at Castlebar Garda Station as well as undermining efficient station management.

The Castlebar-based TD has raised the matter with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and the acting Minister for Justice Simon Harris.

Deputy Dillon asked Chief Superintendent Raymond McMahon at last Friday's meeting of Mayo Joint Policing Committee who will replace Supt McKenna in the Divisional Garda HQ in Castlebar.

He also asked Chief Supt. McMahon why he is not permanently based at the hub in Castlebar following the amalgamation of the Mayo, Roscommon and Longford Garda Divisions to oversee the modernisation of the new policing model.

Chief Supt McMahon declined to respond to both questions until the minister and commissioner have time to consider Deputy Dillon's submission to them in respect of the matter.

Councillor Christy Hyland said morale within the force in the county is at a very low ebb due to the lack of manpower caused by’ a flawed new policing model’ introduced by Commissioner Harris with the support of the Department of Justice.

"It's a complete sham what's happening and it's time we shouted stop. The force has been stripped and stripped in this county and the repercussions are being felt because we don't have the people we need on the ground.

"The fact it has come to this shows how much out of touch the commissioner really is. We need an urgent meeting with him to tell him how bad the situation is,” he argued.

"More and more members are retiring because they are sick of it. The job is far too bureaucratic now. and the public is losing out.

"Our Oireachtas members must stand up to the minister and sort it out. We were told a back of lies with the new model was rolled out," he added.